The decade from 2010 to 2019 for General Aviation was one of tremendous technological progress, from computer watches to autonomous flight control. Manufacturers also launched some amazing new planes, including a jet from Cirrus, the incredible globetrotting Gulfstream G650, a remarkable diesel twin, the DA-62, from Diamond, among others. At the same time we in GA continued to fight against onerous regulation, often but not always successfully, while working to keep the activity we love open, accessible and fun, challenges that won’t end with a new decade but that will certainly be met by a population of passionate aviators focusing on what really matters, the joy and freedom of flight.
User Fees Defeated, Again And Again
With Congress keeping busy with innumerable distractions these days, itâs probably not too surprising that aviation user fees havenât been getting promoted of late. The retirement from Congress of longtime pilot foe and airline bud Bill Shuster no doubt helped douse those flames. But there were a few close calls during the 2010s, when users fees looked something like an unavoidable fate until the work of AOPA, EAA, GAMA, NBAA and others pulled the fat out of the fire at the 11th hour.